Newrest group inaugurates a production unit in Mauritius

Local economic influence

Since January 2023, Newrest has been present in Mauritius through the acquisition of EIH Flight Services Ltd, a company belonging to EIH Limited (Oberoi). Through this operation, the Group offers catering services to airlines, notably Air Mauritius.

The production unit had to undergo a major overhaul in order to comply with the sector’s quality standards, and meet the expectations of its national and international customers in terms of food safety. Newrest is counting on the know-how and experience of its Mauritian employees, who joined Newrest at the time of the change of ownership, to operate this new production facility. These investments demonstrate the international group’s support for the island’s tourism and economic development.

Investment for a sustainable plant

An investment of over 7 (seven) million euros has enabled the catering group to develop an innovative, high-performance and sustainable unit.

Olivier Sadran, co-chairman and founder of the Newrest group: “From the outset, our ambition was to make the necessary investments to considerably improve the sustainability of our activities. Mauritius is a natural setting that must be preserved for future generations. We have our part to play in the country’s transport and tourism equation. It is also our responsibility to provide a safe and efficient working environment for our team“.

After an in-depth review of energy consumption, an innovative approach to energy transition was adopted with the investment in NEMO GREEN. Thanks to this digital platform, the management team can monitor the energy consumption of various equipment and areas of the site. Corrective measures and training can be implemented as soon as a deviation is identified.

These measures are combined with the use of LED lights, the installation of solar lights outside and the use of solar panels for hot water and energy production. Energy-saving equipment has replaced existing equipment.

Six new catering trucks have been ordered, two of which have already arrived from South Africa. The other four are scheduled to arrive at the end of January 2024.

“From roof to floor”, a 360° transformation

Here are just a few examples of the initiatives undertaken by the Newrest Group as part of its €7 million investment:

– A more efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system on the roof and new extraction towers for the hot kitchen significantly reduce energy consumption and improve air quality for the team.

– 25 solar water heaters are now connected to the water network, limiting the use of diesel water heaters.

– A first for the Group, the use of a reflective waterproofing system cools the building while ensuring watertightness.

– Existing solar panels already generate part of the electricity required.

Inside the unit:

– Installation of cold rooms and insulation panels throughout the catering unit for improved working conditions and permeability to dust and insects.

– Newrest’s famous non-slip green floor replaced the old tiling for improved workplace safety.

– A brand-new dishwashing system saves water and detergent.

Placing client’s satisfaction first

Newrest stands out for its ability to adapt to the specific needs of each market, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

The group aims to win the loyalty of its customers, starting with Air Mauritius, its main customer, but also British Airways, Turkish Airlines and Condor to name but a few.

By adding the Mauritius stopover to its network of 88 units worldwide, Newrest enables airlines landing at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport to benefit from innovative operational standards that have proved their worth all over the world.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): “be the change

Improving waste management, promoting local and sustainable purchasing, reducing greenhouse gas emissions: these are just some of the CSR objectives that our Mauritian teams are pursuing on a daily basis.

Through its information systems, production is streamlined to limit food waste. These same systems encourage the development of dematerialized processes, reducing the use of paper and enabling operations to be monitored at all times.

For the Newrest group, reducing its environmental impact is everyone’s business.